NHL Trade Rumors: Carolina Hurricanes likely to trade Micheal Ferland

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 24: Micheal Ferland #79 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Islandersat Barclays Center on November 24, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. New York Islanders defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 24: Micheal Ferland #79 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Islandersat Barclays Center on November 24, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. New York Islanders defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)

According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Carolina Hurricanes appear likely to trade pending free agent forward Micheal Ferland.

The Carolina Hurricanes are in an interesting place. Entering Jan. 9, they have won five straight games and aren’t that far out of the postseason hunt. However, the latest NHL trade rumors have them willing to listen to offers for scoring wing Micheal Ferland.

This information comes from Elliotte Friedman’s most recent 31 Thoughts article.

"Carolina is not in a position to allow its potential unrestricted free agents to walk for nothing. They are far, far apart in negotiations with Ferland, so it looks like “when” not “if” for him."

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The Hurricanes got Ferland as a part of the Dougie Hamilton trade, which sent Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm to the Calgary Flames. They added him hoping to add some scoring. While Ferland has been solid with 12 goals and 20 points in 35 games, he’s had injury issues.

He’s second on the Hurricanes in goals and fourth in points. Ferland is scheduled to become a free agent and reportedly wants a long-term deal. While it’s unclear how far discussions have gone, the Hurricanes aren’t comfortable with his price, whether that be due to term or cap hit (or both).

Ferland should be a nice trade piece for the Hurricanes. Contenders look to solidify their depth scoring this time of the season. Ferland’s proven he can do that. Since the start of the 2017-18 season, he has 33 goals in 112 games. Not bad. Moreover, Ferland has 48 goals in his last three seasons. He’s someone who can pitch in anywhere in the lineup.

Friedman names the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins as potential suitors. However, expect the Hurricanes to field a lot of calls about Ferland. He’s someone who can help just about any contender. Ferland is a physical player who goes to the net and scores goals. There’s always a spot in the lineup for guys like that.

The Hurricanes aren’t dead set on trading Ferland, but his upcoming free agency likely means he could be a goner. Friedman also notes Carolina could be willing to trade one of their goaltenders. They’re even open to trading Hamilton if it means they get some scoring.

For updated NHL trade rumors, check out our Rumors page.

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